Should shorter individuals observe reference points earlier or later in Subject 2?
3 Answers
Shorter individuals should observe reference points earlier in Subject 2. During the Subject 2 examination, many test items are assessed through reversing maneuvers. Therefore, shorter trainees with their seats positioned relatively forward will naturally spot reference points earlier than taller trainees. To avoid missing these points, it's necessary to initiate steering actions earlier. Subject 2 examination items: Five mandatory test items: reversing into a garage, stopping and starting on a slope, parallel parking, curve driving, and right-angle turns. For large buses, tractors, city buses, medium-sized buses, and large trucks, no fewer than 6 test items are required. For small cars, small automatic transmission cars, small automatic transmission cars for the disabled, low-speed trucks, ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles, and ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles, no fewer than 4 test items are required. Subject 2 examination scores: The full score for Subject 2 is 100 points. For large buses, tractors, city buses, medium-sized buses, and large trucks, a score of 90 or above is considered passing. For other vehicle types, a score of 80 or above is considered passing.
When it comes to Subject 2 of the driving test, I also had my share of struggles with height during practice. For shorter individuals, the timing of checking reference points really matters—I found that looking slightly later works better. Since our line of sight is lower, checking too early (like steering prematurely when reversing into the parking space) can easily cause the wheels to hit the corner. But delaying by half a second to a second, waiting until the lower edge of the rearview mirror just covers the parking line before turning the wheel, actually results in more accurate parking. Remember to adjust the seat as high as possible, sit upright, and avoid leaning your head forward to maintain a consistent sightline. During practice, I specifically exchanged tips with other shorter trainees and discovered that combining delayed reference checks with adjusted rearview mirror angles significantly improved pass rates. Don’t underestimate these small details—a tiny misjudgment can lead to a big mistake.
Over the years of instructing students at the driving school, I've noticed that shorter individuals generally benefit from delaying their reference points. The principle is simple: a lower seating position causes the actual viewpoint to be ahead of that of taller individuals. For example, when turning at a right angle by aligning the car hood with the edge line, if you steer at the standard reference point, the actual distance between the car and the edge is already too close. It's advisable to delay steering by about 15 degrees and combine it with two techniques—adjust the seat to its highest position and keep your back firmly against the headrest to maintain a stable posture. Last week, a 1.55-meter-tall student followed this method, and the tire's distance from the edge line during hill starts was within 5 cm. If you're unsure, you can use a cushion to elevate your seating position, but remember to report any additional items used during the exam in advance. Practice with different reference points regularly to find the timing that works best for you.
